The First Church in Belmont
The Unitarian
June 16, 2016
Summer Lay-Led Service Schedule
Upcoming Events
Final issue of the church year
Summer 2015 - Lay Led Services
June 21 - Jacqueline and Sam James  
Our Summer Journeys; Reflecting on our spiritual values

 

June 28 - Clifford Backman
The History of Forgiveness

July 5 - Rev. Lisa Stewart
The Real Work of Mission Work

July 12 - Dorothy Stoneman 
The Power of Love and Opportunity for Overcoming the Odds

July 19 - Sheila Cavanaugh
Who is our neighbor? The Parable of the Good Samaritan

July 26 - Julius Frank
Nuances of Empathy

August 2 - Jen Deaderick
A Room to Swear In

August 9 - Richard Waring
Poetry in Medicine

August 16 - Katharine Canfield
What's on your Spiritual Bucket List?

August 23 - Stefan Frank 
The Power of Our Brain and How it Makes Equality Difficult

August 30 - Edwin Taylor and Doris Hunter
Worth and Dignity

September 6 - Eva Patalas and Ariane Frank
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made - The Spirituality of Knitting

Copies of Shared Journey
A number of people requested copies of Anne Selman's June 7 Shared Journey. She can't remember all those who did so and prefers not to post it on the website, but she will gladly send you a copy by e-mail if you contact her at anne.selman@gmail.com.
Coffeehouse Update!
Many thanks to so many people!  In this, the Second Friday Coffeehouse's 30th year as greater Boston's original all-benefit Coffeehouse, we sold 62 Season Tickets, put on nine wonderful shows, enjoyed great attendance, and gave significant contributions to ten worthy beneficiaries. Thanks to our performers, our hard-working Committee, and this wonderful supportive church community!  Have a great summer and we'll see you in the fall! 

 

Reminder from the Treasurer - reimbursement requests due by July 15
Expense reimbursement forms are due by July 15 so we can "close the books" on this fiscal year. You can download the reimbursement form here (PDF file). Thank you!

Children's Religious Education: It Takes a Congregation

 

Just a couple of last minute news items from CRE...

  • Through a process of brainstorming themes and possible charitable organizations to support and then voting for their preferred choice(s), the kids in grades 1-6 chose the MA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSCPA) to receive the offering money they gave/collected over five months this spring term. MSCPA will receive a check for $250. A monthly children's offering will be received the first Sunday of each month during the 2015-16 church year. There will be two disbursements of these funds: in January and June.
  • CRE survey results: 36 out of 101 households responded. Overall satisfaction with the program is high. Nearly 70% of those responding also taught CRE classes this year. The CRE staff and committee are reviewing the specific comments. Your feedback has provided interesting fodder for further discussion and possible implementation. The comments are also of interest to the DRE Search Committee.
  • Register now for 2015-2016 Children's RE and Youth Programs using the registration link found on the Children's Religious Education page of the FCB website (www.uubelmont.org/childrens-re/) which allows you to register children from birth through 12th grade. All children must be registered for CRE.
  • Our children's religious education program for nursery through grade 8 is a cooperative effort. Once you have been attending at FCB for at least six months, we ask that each family teach Children's RE for at least eight weeks (you need not teach on consecutive Sundays) during the church year.
  • If you are unable to teach, we have other opportunities for you to help out the program, such as serving on the Children's Religious Education Committee, helping with special programs and events, and substituting as needed in the CRE classes (for a total of 16 hours per year per family).
  • All individuals who work with children in the CRE, youth and music programs at FCB must have a background check. If you are a new volunteer or need to renew your background check (once every three years), you can find links to the "background authorization" form as well as "volunteer driver" form and "teacher code of ethics" form here (uubelmont.org/coriandsori/).

 

~ Charlotte Lehmann, Acting Director of Children's Religious Education

Summer office hours (please call or e-mail ahead): Mon/Weds/Thurs, 8 - 4. clehmann@uubelmont.org.


Hot time, summer in the City!

U.U. Urban Ministry Summer Volunteer Opportunities

  • At the The First Church in Roxbury:
    • Gardening raised beds, some days with the Roxbury Youth Program and Youth Against Mass Incarceration - flexible times.
    • Distributing reduced-cost produce bags on Saturdays from 10-1 through Fair Foods.
  • At Renewal House: moving the Renewal House office within their building = weekends June 13/14 or June 20/21.
  • At Bethany House, Back Bay:
    • Providing office support - few hours a week.
    • Altering drapes into curtains - flexible hours.
  • At various non-profits in Greater Roxbury:
    • Setting up a QuickBooks account for an independent elementary school.
    • Formulating a feasibility study for a real estate purchase (broker).
    • Costing out a building expansion from architectural plans.
    • Developing/Designing websites.
    • Fundraising, grant writing, event planning.
  • Consider donating to the Explorers' Club Summer Campership Program which provides at least 25 children with summer fun at 3 excellent arts camps.
  • The U.U.U.M. is looking for a badminton set, park bench, vacuum cleaner, or lawn mower. 
  • Contact the Rev. Rebecca Hinds at 617-318-6010 X214 or rhinds@uuum.org with questions.
Adult Programs & Upcoming Eventsevents

 

New Small Group Ministry Forming

Small Group Ministries provide a spiritual practice that encourages members to engage more fully with their own faith, with each other, and with the larger world. Joan Loewenberg and Robert Donaghey will facilitate a new group which will meet twice a month during September and October on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays and then will continue monthly in November, on the 2nd Wednesday.

   If you would like more information please contact Lillian Anderson at landerson@uublemont.org. If you are interested in joining a small group ministry but Wednesdays don't work for you let Lillian know.

 

New First Church Women's Group beginning this Fall!

Are you interested in sharing deeply with other First Church women on a regular basis? If so, consider participating in our new women's support group this fall. Co-facilitated by Deb Lockett and Eloise McGaw, the group will meet twice monthly on Thursday evenings beginning on Sept. 24. Using active listening techniques, the gatherings will include time for getting to know one another as well as discussing topics of concern to women. For more information, please contact Lillian Anderson.

 

Knitting Circle - Eva Patalas

Thursday, June 4, 8 p.m., Classroom #4

Come join us in the fun and fellowship of knitting with a genial group on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. Everyone is welcome and no commitment is necessary. Contact epatalas@uubelmont.org with questions.

 

First Church Book Group Potluck Supper - Karl Klasson and Anne Stuart

Wednesday, June 24, 7 p.m., Upper Hall

The Book Group will be hosting its Fourth Annual Potluck Supper on June 24 at 7 p.m., when we will enjoy summer salads and desserts, talk about books, and plan for the coming year. Please feel free to come (and bring a friend)--even if you have not participated in the group during the past church year. All are welcome. Please bring a salad, cold entree, or dessert. RSVP to astuart@uubelmont.org or kklasson@uubelmont.org if you plan to attend.

 

Beyond Ferguson: Bridging Class, Cultural and Racial Separation - Dorothy Stoneman and SAC

Sunday, June 28, 7pm, Library

Please join members of the Social Action Committee, the Belmont Religious Council, Belmont Against Racism, the Belmont police department and graduates of YouthBuild USA as we continue our discussion about how to end racism in Belmont and the wider world. Our guests from the YouthBuild program will return to share with us their experiences growing up and facing challenges related to class and racial bias.

     These conversations will continue on the last Sunday of each month (July 26 and Aug. 30) at 7pm throughout the summer. We hope you can join us.

 

Summer Fun! A Hootenanny/Jam Session

Thursday, August 6, 7:30 p.m., Parish Hall; led by Jon Svetkey

Are you a closet guitar hero with no band? A great shower singer? Have you ever wanted to just sit around the porch with a bunch of friends singing and strumming songs that you (mostly!) know? Then we've got just the thing for you: a good old fashioned hootenanny! Bring along your portable acoustic instrument (i.e., guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmonica, shaker, suitcase, jaw harp, spoons...), your voice and - most of all - your enthusiasm. All levels encouraged! Moonshine not provided. For more information contact jsvetkey@uubelmont.org.

 

SAVE THE DATE -- REGISTRATION STARTING SOON
11th Annual Sandy Island Retreat, September 18 - 20, 2015
The Fellowship Committee invites you to the popular First Church Sandy Island Retreat. This is a wonderful opportunity to kick back, relax, and meet new and old friends after a long summer. Sandy Island offers recreational opportunities for people of all interests and ages. Join us for a fabulous weekend of relaxing, kayaking, games, tennis, ping pong, shared meals, interesting conversation, bocce, swimming, volleyball, fun and fellowship. Questions, contact fellowship@uubelmont.org.
 
This is the last issue of the Unitarian for the church year. There will be one summer issue on July 28 (deadline July 22) and publication will resume September 8 (deadline September 2). Happy summer!
 

Submit articles to Janice Zazinski:

  • Articles should be 65 words or fewer and may be edited for length.
  • Photos as JPG files
  • Attachments as PDF files
  • All names and contact information in the Unitarian are public on our Web site
Summer office hours, starting June 15: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday, 9 - 2
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